Oil rectifier for internal-combustion engines



Jan. 31,"192s.

1,657,769 l.. E. scRANNAGE OIL RECTH'IER FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Jan. 22. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I NVJNTOR. v

` Patented Jan. 3'1, 1928.

'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.v y

LAWRENCE E". scnANNAGE, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, AssIGNoEoP ONE- HALF A:ro ALEXANDER CHAMELEY, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

-OIL RIECTIFIER FOR INTEBNAL-COMBUTIQN' ENGINES.

Application led January 22, 1925. Serial No. 4,061.

This invention relates to oil rectiers for internal combustion engines ofthe customary types and construction; and as is well known such engines are subject to oil pump- 6 ing at the piston heads with attendant disadvantages, and the primary object of my invention is to effectively remedy the same.

Another object of this invention is the provision'of ameans effective to prevent the 10 lubricating oil working upward past .the piston-rings into the combustion space which forms carbon deposits upon the piston heads, combustion chamber walls, spark plugs, and valve heads thereby causing short l5 circuits in the Spark plugs and preignition.

A further object of this invention is ameans effective to prevente-xcesslve lubrication of internal combustion engine pistons; by automatically controlling such lubrication.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel form of piston for internal combustion engines and means controlling the lubrication thereof. v

Another object of this invention is to provide a device adapted to refine the lubricating oil drawn from the reciprocating pistons i-nd crank case individually or simultaneousy. is to provide a means for cooling the refined oil before mixing with the lubricating oil contained in the crank case.

Another object of this invention is to provide a valveless ported piston operative substantially throughout the entire stroke cycle whereby a' much thinner lubricating oil may be used and thus reduce. frictional losses to a minimum.

lV ith the foregoing and other objects in view my invention comprehends its features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated by the accompanying drawings, and specifically pointed o-ut in the appended claims. L In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denotethe same or correspondingparts throughout the several views; and in which Figure 1, is a vertical section of'an internal combustion engine cylinder including a typical embodimentoflfmy invention.

AnV important obJect of this invention Figure 2, is a front elevation of the novel type of piston associated inthis invention; an I l Figure 3, is a sectional view taken as indicated by the arrows 3--3 in Figure 1, to better illustrate the thermostatic control.

Referring to the drawings, it will be observed that the internal combustion motor 10, is substantially of the usual form with any adequate splash or force-feed system. The motor cylinders may be air cooled or water jacketed as indicated at 11:.

T he reciprocating piston 12, at the head end, is provided with a plurality of piston 'the' pistons and cylinder wallslubricated by rings 13 and 13'; of any desired'type, while the piston wall is formed with a channel 14, extending around-the entire peripheral surface between the two lower piston rings. I

further provide a depending lug 15, Figures 1 and 2, below the skirt of the piston 12, with an external longitudinal channel or groove 16, in registration with a port 17, in the motor cylinder 10, extending a short distance above the bottomof the piston 12.

The transverse channel 14 and longitudinal longitudinal grooves 16 and 19, I drill vent holes 22 and 24, inwardly, from the transversev circumferential external channels 14 and 2l, through the piston Walls 12; which holes are essential to eifectually remove the surplus lubricating oil from the aforesaid channels as will be explained hereinafter.

It is desirable to subject the oil collecting channels 14 and l21, to a suction or exhaust- :ing action through a port 17, duringthe entire piston cycle for the effective removal of the liquid contents. Accordingly the. port 17, when in register with 'the aforementloned longitudinal channels 16 and 19, subjects the i upper and' lower faces of the piston` ring lecting channel 21. It is here to be observedelsewhere in the sai valve spring 'rality of motor cyhnders. The lower por- 13 -Figure 2-to an exhausting action during that portion of the stroke cycle which is most effective to collect the lubricant.

During the ascent of the iston 12, so long as any part of the channe ,16 is in registration with the port 17, suction will be exerted upon the liquid collecting groove 14, and it is here to be noted that this suction or exhausting action takes place during the last half of the exhaust and compression stroke. The compression stroke is especially effective 'in forcing oil and vunburnt gas downward past the piston rings which fact is utilized in the construction of the said piston 12.

-Dui'ing the descent of the piston 12, the lower faces of piston rings 13 and y13', are scraping excess oilfrom the cylinder walls. When that portion of the piston 20, between the upper and lower longitudinal grooves 16, 19, registers with ort 17 the exhausting action is interrupted or a fraction of a second, only, when a longitudinal channel 19 registers with the port 17, thereby creatin a suction or exhausting action upon the co that this exhausting action takes place during the last half of the piston suction stroke, when the tendency for past the piston -rings chamber is greatest.

The vents 22 and-22',.-Figure l-are efto the combustion fective in producing that difference in pressure requisite for efficiently and quickly removing the oil and other hquids collected 1n the channels 14 and 21-F1gures 1 and and they are shown diametrically opposite the port 17, althou h they may be placed grooves 14 21.

It is to be remarked that the means herein described produces a fluid collecting zone about the upper 'and lower faces of the lower piston ring 13', of the ra idly reciprocating piston 12, and such flui and gases so collected are exhausted through the port 17 and distilled oi as wllbe subsequently described. B this simple means surplus oil is prevented om working u ward past the piston rings 13, 13' into t e combustion space above the piston head and likewise any unburnt gases or ing crank case dilution, are simultaneously revented from enterin the crank case to pollute or thin the lubricating oil.

The suction port 17 connects into the chamber 23, common to a plu'- tion of the valve sprin chamber 23, connects into the suction 24, integral with the cooling reservoir casting 66, b pipe 25, and the upper portion of said va ve spring chamber connects into said suction T by a pipe 26. One end of the suction T is in communication vwith the external retort chamber 27, by a pipe 28, while the other oil to work upward by the liquids effective in produc.

' sha t0 end connects with the air valve 29, by a passage 30. An adjusting screw 31, is adapted to the suction T 24, to vary the port opening ofthe oil pipe 25 therein. A. lock nut 32, secures the adjusting screw or needle valve 31, in any desired position.

A cove'r plate 33, and gasket 34 are bolted in gas tight relation to the top of the motor exhaust cohamber 35; 4while concentrically secured to said cover plate I provide a deilector 36, and clamping nut 37, with a central passage 38, communicating into Vthe intake manifold 39, by means of an elbow 40, conduit 41, and elbow 42.

A condenser 43, is positioned concentrically within the retort 27, the-top of which is bolted gas tight to the conial depending funnel shaped cover 44, by bolts 45, the bottom flanges of which are secured withinterposition of a gasket 46, to thebottom of the motor exhaust chamber 35, thus. forming the bottom of the retort 27, condenser 43, as well as to support a thermostatically operated valve mechanism. Concentricall positioned and integrally cast to the con ensei` bottom 43, I provide a tubular member 47 snugly fitting the conical cover late 44, at the up r end, and with a m ial passage 48, enc osing a valve stem rigidly connected to' a 'conical valve member 49, at the upperend, and to a conical valve member 50, at the lower end. ,Each valve is adapted to seat and eiectually close the ends of the medial'passage 48, as

position of a thermostaticL valve An annular channel or oove 51, concentric'with the smaller media pas. sage 48, and adapted to be closed by a valve 50 connects by a longitudinal passage 52 and a transverse .passage 53 with the medial passage 4 8, and condenser interior 43, while the bottom ofthe condenser interior 43 oonnects through a passage 54, with the medial passage 48.-

Referring the thermostatic mechanism on the under side of--and'supported by-the condenser bottom 43, as best shown in 'F' re 3, 55 represents a simple thermostatic lliment 8ecured at one end by screws 56, or other .holdfast devices, to a depending lugu of the condenser casting 43, effectual in transmttin heat to said element, and at theother'. en operative between spaced ears 57 of'a T- leverarm 58, fulcrnmed at one end e depending lug 59, of the condenser casting 43,' a pin-rivet 6 .thesa'id ears being rovi ed with adjusting screws@ 61 and oc nuts 62, to x the range of deflection of the thermostatic'elemeiit 55.

A valve arm 63,: is provided'4 with u turned ears 64 astraddle and pyoted to t e depend' lug 59 atthe one end', and with a T-shaped formation at the other-end adaptedtocarrytensionspringsiinpatllmechanism.

determined and fixed now the 'structuralV details of el spaced relation and connected at their pposite ends to the lateral projecting ears f the T lever 58. This valve lever 63 suports the air valve 29, and oil valve 50, y'hich in the drawing are shown in closed osition. Y

Just below the thermostatic element 55, I rovide an air port 65, through the wall of he oil cooling reservoir 66, to the outside ir, which operates to cool the thermostatic lement 55, when the valve mechanism is in ts lowest or open position, whence air is opiously drawn through the said port, strikng upon and cooling said thermostatic elenent in passing upward past and through he valve 29, assage 30, and pipe 28, into he retort 27 y reason of the reduction in )ressure therein.

It is desirable to cool the oil refined and iurified before returning the same to the z :rank case as well as to settle out any imiurities. To this end, I provide the cooling leservoir 66, with a concentrically spaced Ahin tube 67, within the oil reservoir and the )pen ends thereof are expanded outwardly :o form an oil tight joint, and connected at ',he one end to the explosion mixture intake nanifold 39, and at the other end with the extension of the carburetor passage 68,'the nside of this tube forming the explosive nixture conduit and the outside the radiatlng surface. It is here to be observed, that the said tube 67 is a heat exchanger effectively transferring the latent heat of evaporation of theI combustible mixture to the hotoil, and simultaneously transmitting the heat of the liquid or oil to the combustible mixture. This action result-s in the cooling of the oil on the one hand and the raising of the temperature of the combustible mixture on the other.

The oil contained in the' oil reservoir 66,

finds its way to the crank case through an overfiow passage 69, and pipe 70, whilea drain plug 71, vis yprovided as a means for wilthdrawing impurities settling `out ofthe o1 The intake cover plate 72, is interchangeable with the carburetor flange 73,.to permit use of the several types of commercial carburetors and vaporizers.

In the drawing the oil purifying device or rectifier is shown in the :closed position as when the internal combustion motor is inoperative and cold. In operation the rapidly reciprocating piston 12, produces a series of intermittent suction strokes effectual ly reducing the 'pressure in the intake manifold 39, below that of the atmospheric; and in such rapid sequence as to causev the combustible mixture therein to flow at a high velocity at right angles to the passage 39 connecting with the elbow 442,v conduit 41, elbow 40, and hollow clamping nut 37, into the retort 27, and effecting therein and inv and passage 30,

the condenser 43, a sub-atmospheric pressure or vacuum. By means of the conduit 28, this sub-atmospheric pressure is tri-functionally effective at lthe suction T 24; firstly to exhaust air, gases, and liquids by way of the conduit 26, from the `oil collecting channels 14, 21, longitudinal passages 16, 19, registering with the port 17, and port 17, into the valve spring chamber 23; secondly to exhaust the fiuids in the chamber 23 into the suction T 24, by way of the conduit 25; and thirdl to effect a vacuum upon the passage 30, w en the valve 29 is closed, as well as to exhaust air therefrom when said valve is open. The combination ofthis air, gas and liquid discharges into the retort 27,

where distillationtakes place. A portion of the heat of the motor exhaust gases traversing the exhaust chamber 35, are conductively absorbed by the fluids in the retort 27, raising the temperature of the liquid sufficiently to vaporize any acids, water, or fiuid combustibles which are exhausted into the motor combustion chamber (not shown) by means of the passages connecting into the intake manifold 39, hereinbef'ore mentioned. These acids, water, and combustible vapors are exploded and expelled from` the motor combustion space through the exhaust port 74 and hollow exhaust chamber 75 within the motor exhaust manifold 35. Meanwhile the fluids in the. retort 27` have reached the point of lebullition, bubbling over into the condenser 43, through passages 48, and 54, which process continues until lsuch time as the heat of the liquid in retort 27, and

condenser 43, attains parity and of a sufficient degree to downwardly deflect the thermostatic element 55, which depresses the T lever arm 58 below a ,plane passed'horizon: tally throu h the pivot 60, thereof, whereby the para lel spaced springs 64', 64 move loo the valve arm 63 downwardly opening the air valve 29, and the oil release valve 50, and simultaneously closing the valve 49. The fluid contents 'ofthe condenserv 43 now discharge into the oil cooling reservoir 66, and are replaced by an equal volumel of air drawn in through the port 65, annular channel 51 and passages 52, 53, while air is si multaneously drawn through the port 65, ast the needle valve 31, exhausting more uid from the valve chamber 23, into the -retort 27. It is here to be noted that oil' or fluids are filling the retort 27 at any desired rate, as determined by the needle valve 31while oil is 'emptying from the condenser 43, and that the sub-atmospheric pressure in the retort 27 valve spring chamber 23, and 'upon the valve members therein. aswell as the reciprocat ing pistons 12, is uninterrupted. .The air rushing in through the port 65, cools the thermostatic element 55, to a. de ree sui cient to contract the same upwar y, there-` lill' by elevating the T-lever arm 58, past a horizontal plane through the fulcrum 60 thereof, whereby the aforementioned parallel s aced tension springs 64', 64 a ain actuate t e valve arm 63, and effectual close the valves 29 and 50. This motion terminates the distillation cycle.

While distillation is taking place within the retort 27, and the condenser 43, thefluids heretofore discharged into the oil cooling reservoir are absorbing the latent heatof vaporization of the combustible mixture flowing at high velocity through the intake conduit 67, and manifold 39, to the motor, eectually cooling the oil and simultaneously raising the temperature of said combustible mixture. The volumeof the said reservoir 66, isvgreater than that of the condenser 43, hence the condenser must discharge its contents several times before the oil reservgir will overflow through the passage 69, linto the crank case of the motor 10. It is 'to be observed that heavy impurities settle out and may be drained ofi' at 71, while the o il has been cooled sufficiently .before dis- It is to be further remarked that the'valve.

mechanism is` controlled entirely by the thermostatic element 55, and that the needle valvel, is manuali adjusted to regulate the liquid level within the retort 27.

This new oil rectifier and purifying appliance may be adapted to any internal combustion engine; the conduit 26, being connected'to the manifold common to a plurality of cylinders to effect suction, through an exhaust port of the same character as 17, uponk the oil collecting channels 14, 21, as heretofore described, while the conduit 25, maybe connected to theoil sump of the crank case of the motor 10. The device will then operate to simultaneously draw fluids from the oil collecting channels 14,' 21, and from the oil sump of the motor crank vcase without affecting the distillation and cooling cycle heretofore explained.

Thoseskilled in the art will readily understand that this invention is not restricted to the exact form shown and described, but

that it may be variedJ within comparatively wide limit without departure from the rinciple of the invention and without sacri cing any of its advantages.

Having thus described my invention what.

I claim is:

1. The combination with the cylinder of an internal combustion engine, of a lubricated reciprocatory piston therein having an external transverse circumferential fluid eollecting channel between the lower two piston rings, an external longitudinal channel on Athe piston skirt and extension thereof, registering with 'a suction port in the cylinder side wall, an internal passage connecting the longitudinal channel and the transverse channel, a second external transverse circumferential fluid collecting channel below the lower piston ring, a piston ring in spaced relation to, and separating the upper and lower external transverse circumferential fluid collectin channels, a second longitudinal external cannel in extended s aced noncommunicating relation to the longitudinal channel revistering with the suction port in the cylinder side wall, the upper end connecting the second transverse external circumferential uid channel, air inlet conduits diametrically opposite the longitudinal external channels extending inwardly from the transverse external circumferential uid collecting channels to the closed head end of the hollow piston interior, the said suction port in the cylinder side wall adapted to register with the uplper longitudinal external channel during t elast half of the piston suction and power strokes, and with the lower' longitudinal external channel during the first half of the piston compression and exhaust strokes, and means to exhaust the fluid contents through the suction port in the cylinder side wall registering lwith the channels connecting their companion transverse circumferential fluid collecting channels.

2. The combination with the cylinder of an internal combustion engine, of a lubricated reciprocatory piston therein, a iston rin transverse circumferential lui collecting channels on the external face of the piston in parallel contact relation with the piston ring edges diametrically open to the ollow piston interior and to longitudinal f external companion channels registering in spaced relation with a suction port in the cylinder side wall, means to admit air to thel transverse channels and meansto vexhaust their fluid contents throu h said suction port in the cylinder side wal 3. The combination with an internal combustion engine' including a cylinder, of a lubricated reciprocatory piston therein, a suction port through the cylinder side wall communicating with a valve spring chamber, conduits connecting into the to and bottom of the valve s ring chamber an terminating in a-suction a manually operated needle valve in said T, one end of the suction T denser within said retort, a thermostatically operated valve adapted to the condenser providing the means of filling and emptying the condenser, a reservoir below the said retort and condenser open to the atmosphere at the top and concentric with the motor fuel intake conduit, a iluid overflow conduit at the top of the reservoir communicating with the motor crank case, a drain plug at the bottom of the said reservoir and means to adapt a carburetor to the fuel intake conduit.

. 4. The combination with the cylinder of an internal combustion engine, of a reciprocatory ported piston having a plurality of transverse liquid .collecting channels, conduits connecting said collecting channels with the hollow interior of said piston, longitudinally. aligned spaced companion channels connecting the transverse liquid collecting channels at the one end and closed at the opposite ends, the longitudinal companion channels alternately registering with a suction port, through the cylinder side wall, and means to apply suction at said port to withdrawv the fluid contents from the ,through the said suction port into the said,

aforesaid channels. e

5. In. combination with the cylinder of an internal combustion engine, la reciprocatory piston, having a plurality of external circumferential fluid collectingl channels in dividually communicating with the hollow piston interior and with external longitudinally spaced longitudinal grooves alternately registering with a suetionport through the cylinder side Wall, and means to apply suction at said port to withdraw the fluid contents from the aforesaid channels.

6. In combination, a valve s ring chamber integral with the cylinder o an internal combustion engine, a reciprocatory piston, having a plurality of fluid collecting channels communicating individually lwith longitudinally non-communicating` spaced grooves adapted to register alternately with a suction port through the cylinder side wall ,communicating with the valve spring chamber, means to admit air from the piston interior to the said fluid collecting channels, and means to apply suction to the valve spring chamber to withdraw the fluid, air and vapor contents of the aforesaid channels valve spring chamber.

7. In combinationfa valve spring chamber integral with the cylinder of an internal com ustion engine, a reciprocatory ported piston having a plurality of external circumferential iluid collecting `channels,'means to admit air to said channels, means to withdraw air, gas, oil and va ors from the u permost fluid collecting c annel during t e atter portion of the piston compresswn and exhaust strokes, means to withdraw excess lubricant from the lowermost tluid collecting channel during the first portion of the piston suctlon and power strokes into said valve sprmg chamber, means to apply suction to said valve spring chamber to withdraw excess lubricant from the valve stems into the aforesaid valve spring chamber and means to apply sucton'to Withdraw air, oil, gases and vapors simultaneously from said valve sprino chamber into a still, means to heat the sald still externally with the ex-v haust gases from the internal combustion engine, means to automatically control the distillation of the contents of thesaid still, means to continuously withdraw volatiles 'from the still into the'fuel intake conduit, means to automaticallydischarge the re` fined contents of the aforesaid still Without interrupting the vacuum pressure upon the aforesaid piston, the valve spring chamber and the still,means to cool the rellned and purified lubricant, and means to return the cooled lubricant to the engine.

8. In combination, a valve spring chamber integral with the cylinder of an internal combustion engine, a reciprocatory piston, means to withdraw Vfluids from around said piston by suction into the said valve spring v i chamber, means to Withdraw lubricant from the crank case, means to control the quantity of oil withdrawn from the crank case, and the 'aforesaid valve spring chamber, into a still, means to heat the contents of the said still by the exhaust gases of the engine, means to automatically control Lthe i degreeof distillation, means to convey the lvolatile material of distillation into the engine intake manifold by the suction of the engine, means to collect the distilled lubricant, means to automatically discharge the distilled lubricant by gravity into a condenser, without interrupting the vacuum in said still, means to extract heat fromy the hot refined oil in said condenser by the combustible mixture flowing through the intake manifold to the engine, means to conduct the cooled lubricant to the engine and means to withdraw impurities from the aforesaid condenser.

9. In combination an oil rectif ing appa? ratus `comprising a cast metal st1ll adapted to be heated externally by the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, a cast metal condenser internally concentric with said still and radially flanged at one end forming Athe bottom of the aforesaid still and the top of a -unitary castin consisting of a suction T at its upper en means to bolt an internal vcombustion engine-carbu lretor to the lower end of a vertical metal intake tube connecting at right angles with the combustible fuel intake manifold of the engine, a reservoir external to, and concentric with the said intake tube, said reservoir open at the upper end to the atmosphere 'through a side Well port, e delivery pipe needle valve in said T an near the top of said reservoir, means to connect the intake manifold passage with the top of the aforesaid still, means to connect said suction T with the to ofk said still, a a plurality of suction conduits terminating in the aforesaid T; the aforesaid cast metal condenser having a thermostat on its under side to control simultaneously the movement of a positive air valve and a positive lubricant l0 discharge valve.

In testimony whereof, I aiiix my signature at Philadelphia, Pa., the 20th day of J anuary 1925.' v

LAWRENCE E. SCRANNAGE. 

